In a strategic effort to drive technological advancement and bolster Nigeria’s economic growth, the Ibom Innovation Network (IIN), organizers of the Akwa Ibom Tech Week, has officially launched the 2024 Innovation Challenge.
The unveiling, held in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital on Thursday signals the commencement of a month-long competition ahead of the highly anticipated Akwa Ibom Tech Week.
Speaking at the launch of the Innovation challenge, President of Ibom Innovation Network, Mr Hanson Johnson said participants will , during the challenge tackle real-world problems presented by sponsors from the private sector, providing an avenue for innovation and creative problem-solving.
Johnson pledged commitment of Ibom Innovation Network to foster a dynamic ecosystem where innovators, entrepreneurs and key stakeholders can collaborate to create and scale impactful solutions to pressing societal challenges.
Emphasizing further on the significance of the initiative, he said : “The Akwa Ibom Tech Week 2024 Innovation Challenge is more than a competition; it is a platform for transformation. We are encouraging the brightest minds to devise solutions that address tangible problems, contributing to a robust innovation ecosystem. This effort underscores our dedication to youth empowerment, economic growth, and the positioning of Akwa Ibom as Africa’s New Tech Destination.”
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Speaking at the event, Aniekan Essienette, General Manager of Marketing and Communications for Ibom Air, introduced the Ibom Air Prize for Innovation, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to leading the Nigerian aviation sector through homegrown innovation. She highlighted that Ibom Air’s sponsorship of the Innovation Challenge aligns with its mission to support local talent and groundbreaking solutions.
Stanley Igwe, Group Manager of ICT at Ibom Air, reiterated the airline’s commitment to nurturing local innovators, noting that the partnership with the Ibom Innovation Network will foster long-term growth in the region’s tech sector.
Idongesit Essien, Co-planner of the event, announced the N10 million prize pool sponsored by key private-sector partners, including Ibom Air, Ubulu Africa, Hotels NG, Start Innovation Hub, Metikon Engineering, Victoria Ekanem Foundation, and Engineering Automation Technology Ltd.
He noted that while the 2023 Akwa Ibom Tech Week sought to position the state as Africa’s New Tech Destination, the 2024 Innovation Challenge raises the stakes by encouraging the development of localized solutions to local challenges.
Essien assured further that the 2024 Innovation Challenge will accelerate technological development and entrepreneurship, reinforcing Akwa Ibom’s role as a rising hub for innovation in Africa.
Dr. Odiong Akpan, Co-founder of Ubulu Africa and Director at the Ibom Innovation Network, extended an open invitation to innovators from universities, government agencies, private companies, and even secondary schools to participate.
He also called on more private and public sector entities to join in the effort to cultivate Akwa Ibom’s innovation landscape, stressing that while participants from across Nigeria are welcome, they will be required to collaborate with local hubs in Akwa Ibom State.
